Posted by JonI’m sure we all turn up at work in the morning for the sheer love of our jobs, the exhilaration of working on proposals. Our first answer to the age-old debate of “If I won the lottery, I’d…” is always, “continue working on proposals, just like I do today.”

(Any new readers might by now be sensing that this blog is sometimes written just a little tongue in cheek!).​

The on-going 2007 Proposal & Business Development community survey posed a question about salary level. Whilst the data’s not definitive, and there are other surveys out there that focus more exclusively on salaries, a population of well over 600 respondents gives some interesting perspectives.

(Shut up, Williams. They just want to know whether you’re going to give them data that’ll help them get a pay rise).First, let’s break down the responses on salary ranges (excluding other benefits) by bands. The mean is just shy of $80k, but there’s a significant range as one might expect:* 19% are earning under $50,000 per year* 41% fall in the $50k – $75k bracket* 24% earn $50k – $100k* 11% climb into the $100k – $150k camp* 5% claim to be on over $150k.

Next up – any significant variation by sector? A little, but not to as huge extent as some might have expected:- Healthcare/Benefits Admin: $73k- Finance: $74k- Technology: $79k

​How d’ya fare?! I can picture half of you shrugging your shoulders: “Hey, this data’s a good guide, but it doesn’t reflect the special features of my role.” And the other half – the ones who come in below the averages – will already be plotting to use the data to ask for a rise! I work on 10% commission for any pay rises that readers may negotiate using this data. Payment in fine wine is eminently acceptable